Disneyland and Globalization
The Encyclopedia of Globalization defines this cultural imperialism as “most broadly [referring] to the exercise of domination in cultural relationships in which the values, practices, and meanings of a powerful foreign culture are imposed upon one or more native cultures” (Encyclopedia, 2014, def. 1). Furthermore, in simplified terms, Cultural imperialism describes a dominant group having power over a subordinate group. By this definition, one may assume that in many cases the “dominant” group may be seen as Americans or an American product or corporation asserting power over some form of native culture, which may be a peripheral country, or simply a country with less corporate influence than the United States. Disneyland is one corporation that has been globalized by the US onto foreign cultures. In many cases, this deportation and invasion of Disneyland onto foreign soil may be considered cultural imperialism as Disney does not modify its products to suit cultural tastes. For example, every Disney has American symbols and classic American stomping grounds such as New Orleans Square and Main Street, USA. Through these symbols the theme parks become a situated American in the various countries, rather than a theme park in Hong Kong, Paris, or Tokyo, where the international parks are placed. Additionally, Disney did not modify any of the products and kept them all within American culture, even down to the food. In all international theme parks, locals expressed their wishes for local cuisine, causing a decrease in overall sales in food. Disney had to modify this aspect of the theme park by adding local cuisine, such as Shark Fin soup in Hong Kong Disneyland, and French cuisine in Disney Paris.